Gauging device for channel bars



April 14, 1953 l L. M. STRAND 2,634,506

GAUGING DEVICE FOR CHANNEL BARS Filed Oct. 26, 1951 Patented Apr. 14, V1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAUGING DEVICE FOR CHANNEL BARS Leslie M. Strand, Chicago, Ill.

Application October 26, 1951, Serial No. 253,330

s claims. (c1. azi-14s) This invention relates to a gauging device for channel bars. More particularly, this invention relates to a device for measuring the height of the legs of U-shaped members such as channel bars.

In the manufacture of channel sections or U-shaped bars a constant check must be made to determine that the manufacturing discrepancies in the height or length of the two legs is maintained within the allowable limits or tolerances maintained in the manufacture of articles of this type. Ordinary calipers for measuring the legsof the channel bars have been found to be very ineffective and inaccurate. The type of calipers which have generally been used for measuring channel bars consist of a pair of parallel legs which are moved relative to each other, one of the legs being applied to the undeneath side of the channel and the other leg being applied in a horizontal plane across the upper edges or ends of the legs of the bar. In channel bars wherein the legs exceeded the allowable tolerances it was generally very diicult to determine the exact degree of discrepancy between the legs since the flat section of the channel bar or the base wall could not be maintained in absolutely flat relationship with respect to the leg of the caliper. In other words, the channel bar would have a tendency to tilt between the legs of the caliper and the exact degree of discrepancy between the legs of the channel bar would be very diicult to determine. It is a prime object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an improved gauging or measuring device for measuring channel bars, the device permitting the checker to quickly check the height of the legs of the bar in a manner wherein an accurate measurement is secured.

-A still further object is to provide a gauging devicehaving a pair of arms connected together intermediate their ends, one of said arms having a clamping member adapted to be inserted in the space formed by the parallel legs of a channel or U-shaped member, the clamping member being effective to maintain the ilat or base Wall of the channel bar in flat secure engagement with the other arm of the gauging device.

A still further object is to provide a scissors type gauging device having a pair of arms connected together, one of said arms including a pair of laterally spaced individual plungers which are adapted to engage the upper edges of the legs of a channel-shaped member to effectively measure and indicate any discrepancies between the lengths of said legs,

A still further object is to provide ,a gauging; device for measuring the height ofthe legs of channel members, the gauging device including a clamping member for maintaining the channel bar in secure engagement with one of the legs of the gauging device, the other leg of the gauging device including a pairy of laterallyP spaced sleeves in whichv plungers are resilientlyv positioned, the plungers being adapted to engage` the vupper edges of ythe legs, the plungers iiicluding graduations effective to indicate the `relative length or height of the legs of the channel bar.

These and further objects will become more readily apparent from a reading of the specification when taken in connection with the accompanying sheet of drawing.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a gaugingl device applied to a channel bar or a U-shaped member;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view in elevation through a gauging element.

Referring now, particularly to Fig. 1, a gaug-` ing device is generally indicated by the reference character I0. The gauging device I0 includes a pair of scissor-like armsII and I2 which are connected intermediate their ends by a pivotmember I3. The arms II and I2 are respectivelyA provided with grasping grips I4 and I5. TheA arms I I and I2 are provided at their other ends with gripping members or portions I6 vand I'I. which extend in a substantially parallel directionf with respect to each other. A pair of laterally spaced gauging members I8 are supportedv on the arm I'I. Each gauging member I8 comprises a sleeve I9 having a downwardly extending fiat portion 20 which is rigidly secured to the arm I1 by welding or other fastening means. The downwardly extending portion 20 has a lip 2I which projects laterally outwardly from the downwardly extending portion 20.r The lip 2I is provided with an opening 22.

A plunger 23 is positioned within the sleeve I9 for relativer reciprocation.w TheA plunger 23 includes a shoulder 24 which, as indicated in Fig. 2, is positioned normally against a seat 25 provided in the lower end of the sleeve I9. A springl 26 encircles the plunger 23, the spring 26 having one end in engagement with a threaded cap 21 which is threaded into the sleeve I9. 'I he spring 26 at its other end is in engagement with the shoulder 24 for normally urging the shoulder into engagement with the seat 25. The upper end of the plunger 23 is in relative sliding engagement with a bore 28 4provided in the capgZI, ,i

The plunger 23 is provided at its lower end with an integral extension 29. The extension 29 is in relative sliding engagement with the bore or opening 22 in the lip 2|. The lower end of the extension 29 is provided with a contact point 30 the purpose of which will become presently apparent. A plurality of spaced indicating lines or graduations 3| are provided on vthe extension 2li. VThese lines 3J may be formed on th'e extension 29 -by painting, stenciling, etching or any other suitable method. One of the lines 32 is of larger cross-sectional thickness for the purpose of distinguishing it from the other .lines 3| or it may distinguish from the other lines .3| by color.

In Fig. 1 the gauging device 'Sill is shown in position for measuring a channel 35. The channel 35 consists of a basewall 36 which has 'at its underneath side a flat-surface 31. The channel 735 isafprovidedwith a pair-'ci' laterally extending legs 38 and 39 fwhich 'extend fin substantial-ly.

parallel relation with frespect 'to each other.

=In measuring the legs 38 -and 39 lo'f .the channel-shaped 'section 235 the measurement is naturallytaken from the fiflaft surface 131 .of the base wall 36. In this manner-the height or length offthe legs 38 vand 3'9 can be properly measured. With conventional types of `cali-pers having parallel arms movable rel'ativetoreach other has been exceedingly dinicu'lt to place the Vfl'at :surface 531 th'e Echannel 35 'or base iwall 36 `in natwise contact with the lower arm of the caliper. Where `'one vor the legs .of the channel member would belcnger than the other leg, clamping of the channel bar between the farms ci 'the conventional caliper would normally cause twisting of the channel member so that the base wall would not be in flatwis'e contact with the lower arm l-oi the caliper. In the `present invention, however, as best shown in Fig. l, the channel 35 `is iirmly fgr-ipped against the arm I6 Aof the gauging device I6, by means of aclamping member `Il!) which may be 'integrally formed with the upper arm V|-'| and which extends `in a direction toward the arm -I6. The clamping member Iii) extends vinto the space formed by the legs 38 and 3.9 of the channel member '3.5. The clamping `member 40 firmly engages the inside surface 4| of fthe base wall 136 and .thus holds the base 'Wall 3B securely vagainst the arm |'6 in iiatwise contact. y Since the channel member 235 is thus rigidly vheld :against the arm |'6 proper measurement of 'the legs '38 and 39 is now possible. The pressure for holding Vthe clamping member BI! in this positionyis, of course, aiorded by the operator who .has grasped the grasping grips |4 and 1.5.

As :shown -in '1 the leg39 ofzthe vchannel 35 is of 'lesser height than fthe ieg 38. The contact points '30 of both plungers 23 are in engagement with the upper edges of the legs 313 and '33. In this position of the plungers 23 the shoulders 2l have beenmoved 4away froinlthe seats 25 and the springs 2'6 resilient-,ly urge the plungers 23 against vthe legs 38 and 39.

A distinctive indicating line vor mark l2 is provided on the downwardly extending portion 26 o'reach gauging member '|8. The marks 42 are adapted to laterally align with yany one of the graduations 3| and i32 which are provided on the extensions '29. 'supposing now, that the legs 38 and '39 -of the channel bar 35 are both of substantially the same length, the indicating line 32 of both plu-ngers 23 would be .in lateral alignment with the indicating vmarks 42. By a :quick glance, therefore, the checker could determine that the legs were both of the proper length and thus the channel bar would pass inspection. In Fig. 1 it can be seen that the graduation or indicating mark 32 of one of the gauging elements |8 is in alignment with the mark 42 and thus the checker can immediately determine that the length of the .-leg 38 is lproper Iand within the tolerances required. However, with respect to the leg 39 of the channel bar 35. he can see that there is quite a discrepancy between it and the leg 38 since the graduation 32 is considerably below `the mark "il-2 on the adjacent gauging member I8. The graduations 3| are so spaced apart and calibrated that the checker can immediately determine ywhat the discrepancies are in the terms orinches or other linear measurement.

The vgauging device ID is particularly adaptable for production checking in that it can be quickly applied by `the checker 'itc `the article. The clamping member '4U will, in each case, fsecurely hold the channel member 35 in proper position so that an accurate measurement can be obtained. By the utilization of this` gauging device it is self-evident that :the at .edge 3.'1 from which the height Ameasurement is taken .is .1always in vflatwise contact with the arm |'6 so that an accurate lmeasurement 'can .be obtained.

It can now be seen that the objects of vvth'efinvention have been fully 4achieved .and improved gauging device for measuring V*channel bars'has Abeen provided. It Yemust be understood that 4changes and 'modiiioation'smay bemadein this design without departing Yfrom the spirit fof the invention `as disclosed'nor from the Ascope thereof as'defin'ed inthe Aappended claims.

`What .is .claimed isi:

1. A measuring device for measuring Ya-channel shaped section having Va ibase walland a pair 'of legs extending outwardly from the 'wall comprising; a pair of arms pivotally connected to each.

other intermediate their ends, a hand grasping portion at one end of each arm, rst and 'second channel gripping portions respectively :at the other ends of the arms, a generally rectangular clamping 'member projecting .from .the rst gripping .portion toward the second gripping portion,y

said `clamping member beingpositionabie between the legs fof the channel lsection for engaging the base wall of the section and for clamping ithe same Aagainst :the second gripping portion, a `pair of laterally tspacedsleeves connected tozsaid i-first gripping portion, a plunger in each sleeve posi-` tioned vfor reciprocation, feach 'plunger 'havngta contact extension projecting outwardly fof vthe sleeve for engaging :endsof theflegszof the fch-anne'l': shaped section held between the gripping por-l tions, ran'd visible -graduations `on each 'plunger for Vindicating the relative Vdiierence in length foetween the legs.

A2. .A measuring device for measuring :a vchannel shaped section having a base wall and a pair of legs extending outwardly from the wall comprising; .a jpair of arms pivotally connected to each other intermediate their ends, a hand grasping. portion :at one end of each arm, first 'andfseecnd channel gripping portions respectively at the other ends of the arms, a clamping member :pro- Jecting from the rst 4gripping portion toward the second gripping portion, said :clamping memheri being position-able between lthe legsof the chan-z nel section for engaging the .base wall ofthe .'section and for clamping the same `against thesecond vgripping portion, fa pair of laterally spaced Sleeves connected to said first gripping portion;

a plunger in each sleeve positioned for reciprocation, each plunger having a contact extension projecting outwardly of the sleeve for engaging ends of the legs of the channel shaped section held between the gripping portions, visible graduations on each plunger for indicating the relative difference in length between the legs, and resilient means connected to each plunger for yieldingly urging the plunger into engagement with the end of the leg.

3. A measuring device for measuring a section having a base wall and a pair of legs extending outwardly from the wall in channel shaped relation; comprising a pair of arms pivotally connected to each other intermediate their ends, a hand vgrasping portion at one end of each arm, first and second gripping portions respectively at the other ends of said arms, a clamping member on the rst arm, said clamping member being engageable with the base Wall for rigidly clamping the same against the second gripping member, a pair of gauge members connected to said iirst gripping member in transversely spaced relation with respect to each other, each gauge including a sleeve, a plunger movably mounted in each sleeve, each plunger including a contact extension projecting outwardly of the sleeve for engaging the ends of thelegs, resilient means for urging each contact extension into contact with a leg, indicating means on each gauge, and visible graduations on each contact extension, said graduations being registerable with the indicating means for indicating the relative length of each leg.

4. A measuring device for measuring a section having a base wall and a pair of legs extending outwardly from the wall in channel shaped relation; comprising a pair of arms pivotally connected to each other intermediate their ends, a hand grasping portion at one end of each arm, first and second gripping portions respectively at the other ends of said arms, a clamping member on the first arm, said clamping member being engageable with the base wall for rigidly clamping the same against the second gripping member, a pair of gauge members connected to said first gripping member in transversely spaced relation with respect to each other, each gauge including a sleeve, a plunger movably mounted in each sleeve, each plunger including a contact extension projecting outwardly of the sleeve for engaging the ends of the legs, indicating means on each gauge, and visible graduations on each contact extension, said graduations being registerable with the indicating means for indicating the relative length of each leg.

5. A measuring device for measuring a section having a base wall and a pair of legs extending outwardly from the wall in generally U-shaped relation; comprising a pair of arms pivotally connected intermediate their ends, each arm having a gripping portion at one end thereof, means connected to one of said gripping portions adapted to engage the base wall along a surface thereof disposed between the legs for urging the same into iatwise contact with the other gripping portion thereby securely clamping the section between said arms, and gauge means on one of said gripping members, said gauge means including a pair of laterally spaced plungers, means reciprocally positioning said plungers on said last mentioned gripping members, biasing means connected to each plunger for urging said plungers into engagement with said legs, and indicating means associated with the plungers for indicating the length of one leg with respect to the other.

6. A measuring device for measuring a section having a base wall and a pair of legs extending outwardly from the wall in generally U-shaped relation; comprising a pair of arms pivotally connected intermediate their ends, each arm having a gripping portion at one end thereof, means connected to one of said gripping portions adapted to engage the base wall along a surface thereof disposed between the legs for urging the same into flatwise contact with the other gripping portion thereby securely clamping the section between said arms, gauge means on one of said gripping members, said gauge means including a pair of spaced plungers connected to one of said gripping members for relative sliding movement toward and away from the second gripping member, resilient means connected to said plungers for urging the same into contact with the legs of the section, stationary indicating means on said rst gripping member, and graduations on said plungers, said indicating means and said graduation being arranged to indicate the relative length of said legs. A

7. A measuring device for measuring a section having a base wall and a pair of legs extending outwardly from the wall in generally U-shaped relation; comprising a pair of arms connected to each other, said arms being movable in a direction toward each other, a clamping member on one of said arms, said clamping member projecting in a direction toward said other arm, said clamping member being substantially of the same width as the distance between the legs of the section and being engageable with the base wall along a surface theerof disposed between the legs to clamp the wall in atwise contact with the other arm, a pair of gauge members connected to one of said arms, said gauge members each including a plunger movable into engagement with a leg of the section, and graduations on said plungers for indicating the relative difference in length between said legs.

8. A measuring device in accordance with claim 7 including a resilient member connected to each plunger for normally urging the plungers in a direction toward said other arm.

LESLIE M. STRAND.

Name Date Markey Nov. 17, 1942 Number 

